Membership was right!
Labour party membership in my opinion were right voting for Corbyn. Clear membership was frustrated with lackluster defense of fiscal policy. Lackluster defense of immigration unwilling to challenge black and white narratives. Unable to think differently tackle complex issues, dealing with voter concerns without submitting to poor choices. Organisation failed to understand true scope what happened expecting many issues to blow over. Membership wanted the organisation to think differently.
Noticed many corbyn voters have bunker mentality, organisation have done the same in the past. Feels like the world is against you and wants to destroy what you started. Many feel party wants to go back to the good old days without you. Notice that westminster Elite has fallen in love with simple Brexit narrative poor old uneducated left behind voted Brexit. Notice some Corbyn supporters have fallen in love with simple narrative elite against Corbyn. Easy take this view given negative press coverage. Criticism is healthy thing but many offer uncritical defence avoiding substance behind it. Deciding to avoid thinking about criticism, taking the wrong view point.
Many ‘moderates’ are willing to admit that Corbyn voters were right. Started something which many lacked the belief was possible. Something which should be respected, plus valued could be major advantage. Many of us joined the party under the same principles as each other. Throwing insults at each other does nothing to win arguments. Worse still won’t win over voters hearts insulting them. Corbyn voters must understand people with doubts are not blairites. Corbyn was able to wake up large number of people to act in politics. Organization however must make effective use of this movement. Massive membership does not mean mass movement has started.
Clear membership won’t be conned or fooled many want guarantees. Party won’t return to the good old days of immigration mugs. Ignoring problems until things get bad enough people talk about it.
My history with Labour
Family spoke fondly of Labour growing up, remember meeting Labour councillor couple dozen times growing up. Subject of politics never came up just was in the background. Membership history starts just after the GE 2015 defeat, kept an eye on politics for years. Various reasons why I did it, shared many of values with Labour why I joined. Wanted to support Labour due helping my family over the years. Felt that Corbyn challenging the current thinking at the time was necessary . Still believe Corbyn standing was the right thing to do. Corbyn gained my 2nd preference vote with Yvette being my first choice.
Corbyn had my lukewarm support, hoped he would change thinking many had within the party. Tony Blair moment forced Labour rethink how organization was run and win against any conservatives. Can’t support Corbyn now, lacks the leadership skills required to lead. Based on reports with general performance largely ineffective with no internal debate. Organization has taken on bunker mentality, worse time any group could do it. Various reports ranging former advisors to MPs saying the same thing. Concerning Shadow ministers not having discussions with the leader. Incapable of leading if you can’t have internal policy debate.
Necessary to unite the party around your leadership in order to fulfill role of opposition leader. Can’t be successful in getting things done playing to different rules. Corbyn has been ineffective in getting his message to general population rather incompetence within westminster. Failed in his daily duties making Labour party suffer as organization. Real risk that Corbyn could split the party if he carries on without real change. Corbyn voters complained party did not listen, now Corbyn is doing the same thing.
Respect what Corbyn has done opened up the debate. Nobody wants to let the Tories do whatever they want. Fear that Corbyn is letting the Tories do just that. My generation are likely to feel that pain for years. Choice in front of us reunite the party or crack it apart. Owen Smith can put Labour in much better shape due to Corbyn’s work. However he must offer guarantees to the membership. Corbyn greatest gift to Labour won’t be his leadership but forcing the debate to change with surge in membership.
Compromise
Milk comes in various varieties whole fat, semi skimmed, skimmed and other called fat 1% milk. Example you like whole fat milk, don’t have the income to buy semi skimmed or whole fat. Rest of your family does not mind the cheaper skimmed milk. Normally people compromise take into account majority view and minority view. Politicians are required to compromise ones who don’t have means to avoid it. Talking about politicians who can avoid making unpopular decisions. Can still have principles when doing any compromise. Pragmatism is required when dealing with many real life problems. Reforms without pragmatism often get overruled later down the line compared to solutions which do. Best modern example which comes to mind is the NHS. Service has many compromises in place in order for it to exist.
Trying to make the point that compromises are not pure evil. Should not dismiss view of others if they disagree with your own views but find common ground. Instead make arguments which allow you get the compromise you desire. Centre ground is end of the day large majority of voters who come together on series of issues based on compromise. Political victories are made up vast groups of voters. Can’t win without winning over large groups of different types of voters. Each group personal set of values, ideas and issues. Worse certain groups are more likely to vote compared to others. Recent polling suggests Corbyn is deeply unpopular with over 65s. One voter group who on average has highest turnout compared to many others. Can’t reach them using social media often have more conservative personal value views.
End of the day can still have principles when making any compromise. Humans are irrational we all make bad decisions and choices. Labour party made series of terrible choices post 2008. Compromises which was made in bad faith against reality. Undermined economic link to European union which provided us with Brexit result. Helped caused defeat twice in row made us question many values we hold as a party.
Opportunity
Membership who voted for Corbyn were right on many issues. Opportunity to learn from the history building on any failure. Must be willing to listen and learn from your mistakes. Small minority within the party whatever side who don’t want to listen. Left have created a movement, which must listen and be listened by the overall party. Right has made series of compromises which led to victory, must not be ignored. Both sides must not be ignored coming together.
Corbyn greatest achievement could be Owen Smith forcing his opponents to change their minds. Left keeping the right honest giving it much needed courage. Right giving the left must needed lesson can’t change everybody minds. Compromises are required to rule and get what you want done. Leadership challenge provides Labour with major opportunity for us to work together again and win. Challenge can provide Labour with new start. Like many of you don’t know anything about Owen Smith. Understand how some feel that Owen is just another PLP yes man who does not care. Every MP cares which why they decided to stand for public service.
Would you want job which get tons of abuse from the public? Death threats even the real threat of violence?
Already done job like that gave me mental breakdown. MPs are just normal people doing this role due caring. People can make choices you disagree with however they still care. Some choices made which may morally disagree with however was done in good faith and belief was right. Understand how some feel that Owen is just another PLP yes man who does not care. Every MP cares which why they decided to stand for public service. Viewing them as the enemy won’t get us far. Rejecting viewpoints as bad faith does not win people over or the argument. Labour party needs MPs to function within westminster. Party can’t reunite under Corbyn, not functioning correctly under him. Can’t name single new Corbyn policy discussed by Labour. Just views held by Corbyn on subjects quite frankly don’t care about. Won’t lie want compromises with guarantees for the future. Can all disagree over bits of policy without insulting each other.
United under the same principles yes we can disagree on certain subjects. We all want Labour led government who follows these principles. Even under proportional representation we would still have to work together. Very real opportunity to get the compromises required that so many desire.